Change in Criminogenic Thinking Styles: Comparing Mental Health Court (MHC) Participants to Federal Probationers

• In Event: Roundtable: Problem Solving Courts: Implications for More Challenging Criminal Justice Involved Populations

Abstract

Criminogenic thinking styles are one of the Psychology of Criminal Conduct’s “Big 4” criminogenic needs. As part of a process and outcome evaluation of a federal mental health court, we posed the question - “Do mental health courts reduce criminogenic thinking better than a matched sample of Federal Probationers?” Data presented are from two administrations (baseline, 18-month post-baseline) of the Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles collected as part of a comprehensive 2-year evaluation. Results will be discussed, and recommendations will be made for practice and for continued research.

Authors

• Matthew Hiller, Temple University

• Christine Saum, Rowan University

• Kimberly Houser, Rowan University